Gaming device having multiple symbols at a single symbol position

ABSTRACT

A gaming device including a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols including at least one replicator symbol. The replicator symbol includes at least two of the same symbols in a single symbol position on the reels. The replicator symbol may include any suitable number of the same symbols. The replicator symbol thereby increases the likelihood that a player will obtain a winning symbol combination on the reels and also an award in a game. In one embodiment, a winning symbol combination includes at least one replicator symbol and at least one other symbol at a plurality of symbol positions on a payline associated with the reels. In another embodiment, the winning symbol combination at least one replicator symbol and at least one other symbol at a plurality of symbol position in at least one symbol position on a plurality of paylines associated with the reels.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to and thebenefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/176,195, filed on Jul.18, 2008, which is a continuation of, and claims priority to and thebenefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/650,247, filed on Aug.28, 2003, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,402,102 on Jul. 22, 2008,which is a non-provisional of, and claims priority to and the benefitof, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/412,012, filed on Sep.20, 2002, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or maycontain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appearsin the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To play a conventional slot machine, a player deposits money in the formof coins, gaming tokens or paper currency either into a coin head orbill acceptor. The coins and gaming tokens are collected in a reservoirinside the gaming machine while the paper currency is collected in thebill acceptor inside the gaming machine. If the coins, gaming tokens orpaper currency are validated as authentic, the player accrues theappropriate number of playing credits on a credit meter. For example, atwenty-five cent gaming machine will accrue four credits for each dollardeposited into the gaming machine.

After accruing credits on the credit meter, the player determines howmany credits to wager on the next spin of the slot reels. The gamingdevice or player then spins the reels by pressing the spin button or bypuffing a handle. When the reels stop spinning, symbols are displayedand the player collects credits for winning combinations of symbols onthe reels, if any, according to a pay table.

Specifically, slot machines include a symbol matrix which includessymbols displayed on three or more of the reels (also called “columns”or “reel columns”) that are adjacent to each other. The resulting matrixof symbols typically ranges from three columns by three rows with ninetotal symbols, to five columns by three rows with fifteen total symbols.Each position in the symbol matrix is referenced by column, from left toright, and row, from the top to bottom (“symbol positions”). Forexample: symbol position 1/2 is located in column 1 and row 2.

Players collect credits for predetermined winning symbol combinationsthat appear in specific or designated symbol positions (i.e, “paylines”) on the reels. Winning symbol combinations typically require thatthree or more of the same symbols appear adjacent to each other startingfrom the leftmost position of a pay line (i.e., a “line pay”). Inaddition, players may also collect credits for winning symbolcombinations that appear anywhere on a pay line (i.e., a “line scatterpay”) or anywhere on the reels (i.e., a “reel scatter pay”).

Credits are awarded to the player for each winning symbol combinationbased on a predetermined schedule or paytable. For line pays and linescatter pays, the number of credits wagered on the winning pay linemultiplies the number of credits indicated by the pay table. For reelscatter pays, the total number of credits wagered multiplies the numberof credits indicated by the pay table.

Following any type of win or payout (e.g., line pays, line scatter paysor reel scatter pays), a designated number of credits are added ortransferred to the player's credit balance shown on the credit meter. Aslong as the player has credits on the credit meter, the player maycontinue to play the game.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for new gaming devices whichprovide players with more opportunities to obtain awards in a game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a slot game and payoutmethods for a slot machine and more particularly, to a game and a payoutmethod based upon multiple symbols in one or more symbol positions ofthe symbol matrix on a set of reels.

In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a game having a pluralityof reels including a plurality of symbol positions or locations on thereels. The symbol positions or locations are positions or areas on thereels where the symbols are displayed to a player. Typically, inconventional gaming devices, a reel-type game includes a plurality ofreels having symbols where one symbol is displayed in each symbolposition on the reels. The present invention includes at least one andpreferably, a plurality of symbols having at least one replicator orsplit symbol. The replicator symbol displays at least two of the same oridentical symbols in a single symbol position on the reds. For example,when a replicator symbol is indicated in a symbol position on the reels,the replicator symbol may display two identical symbols, three identicalsymbols or any suitable number of identical symbols desired by the gameimplementor in a single symbol position. Therefore, contrary toconventional reel-type games, the replicator symbol of the presentinvention enables the gaming device to display more symbols on the redsand thereby enhances the probability that a winning combination ofsymbols will occur on the reels. This increases the player's excitementand enjoyment of the game because the player has a better opportunity toobtain a winning combination of symbols and thereby a better opportunityto obtain an award in the game.

In one embodiment, a winning symbol combination includes symbolsindicated in at least one symbol position on a payline associated withthe reds. In another embodiment, a winning symbol combination includessymbols indicated in at least one symbol position on a plurality ofpaylines associated with the reds. In a further embodiment, a winningsymbol combination includes symbols indicated in at least one symbolposition on any of the paylines associated with the reels. It should beappreciated that a winning symbol combination may be indicated in anysymbol position or symbol positions on the reels.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes replicator symbolsthat display at least two identical symbols to a player in any singlesymbol position on the reels. In another embodiment, the replicatorsymbol or replicator symbols are only indicated in a designated symbolposition or symbol positions on the reels. It should be appreciated thatthe replicator symbol or replicator symbols may be indicated in one, aplurality or all of the symbol positions on the reels. It should also beappreciated that the replicator symbols may display the same oridentical symbols or at least one different symbol in a symbol positionon the reels.

In another embodiment, the symbols include at least one bonus symbol.The gaming device provides a bonus outcome to the player for a winningcombination of bonus symbols where the winning combination includes atleast two bonus symbols indicated in at least one symbol position on thereels. In another embodiment, the winning symbol combination includingthe bonus symbols is indicated in at least one symbol position on apayline associated with the reels. In a further embodiment, the winningsymbol combination including the bonus symbol is indicated in at leastone symbol position on a plurality of paylines associated with thereels. The bonus outcome may be at least one award, value, modifier suchas a multiplier, free game, free spin, game element or any suitableaward or outcome.

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide agaming device that increases the probability of obtaining awards in agame.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming devicethat increases the probability of obtaining a relatively large award ina game.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to likeparts, elements, components, steps and processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the gamingdevice of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the gamingdevice of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration ofone embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a schematic block diagram illustrating a plurality of gamingterminals and communication with a central controller.

FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of one of the display devices of FIGS.1A and 1B illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating an award summary tableassociated with the embodiment of FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F are front elevation views of one of the displaydevices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating an example of the embodiment ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of one of the display devices of FIGS.1A and 1B illustrating another embodiment of the present invention wherethe symbols on the reels include a plurality of bonus symbols.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating anembodiment of the gaming device of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, two alternative embodiments of the gamingdevice of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B asgaming device 10 a and gaming device 10 b, respectively. Gaming device10 a and/or gaming device 10 b are generally referred to herein asgaming device 10.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10has a support structure, housing or cabinet which provides support for aplurality of displays, inputs, controls and other features of aconventional gaming machine. It is configured so that a player canoperate it while standing or sitting. The gaming device may bepositioned on a base or stand or can be configured as a pub-styletable-top game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably whilesitting. As illustrated by the different configurations shown in FIGS.1A and 1B, the gaming device can be constructed with varying cabinet anddisplay configurations.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming devicepreferably includes at least one processor 12, such as a microprocessor,a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated circuit or oneor more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's). The processoris in communication with or operable to access or to exchange signalswith at least one data storage or memory device 14. In one embodiment,the processor and the memory device reside within the cabinet of thegaming device. The memory device stores program code and instructions,executable by the processor, to control the gaming device. The memorydevice also stores other data such as image data, event data, playerinput data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data orinformation and applicable game rules that relate to the play of thegaming device. In one embodiment, the memory device includes randomaccess memory (RAM). In one embodiment, the memory device includes readonly memory (ROM). In one embodiment, the memory device includes flashmemory and/or EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read onlymemory). Any other suitable magnetic, optical and/or semiconductormemory may be implemented in conjunction with the gaming device of thepresent invention.

In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or operating datadescribed above can be stored in a detachable or removable memorydevice, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk or CDROM. A player can use such a removable memory device in a desktop, alaptop personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or othercomputerized platform. The processor and memory device may becollectively referred to herein as a “computer” or “controller.”

In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming devicerandomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes based onprobability data. That is, each award or other game outcome isassociated with a probability and the gaming device generates the awardor other game outcome to be provided to the player based on theassociated probabilities. In this embodiment, since the gaming devicegenerates outcomes randomly or based upon a probability calculation,there is no certainty that the gaming device will ever provide theplayer with any specific award or other game outcome.

In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gamingdevice employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of awards or othergame outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or other game outcomeis provided to the player, the gaming device removes the provided awardor other game outcome from the predetermined set or pool. Once removedfrom the set or pool, the specific provided award or other game outcomecannot be provided to the player again. This type of gaming deviceprovides players with all of the available awards or other game outcomesover the course of the play cycle and guarantees the amount of actualwins and losses.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming device includesone or more display devices controlled by the processor. The displaydevices are preferably connected to or mounted to the cabinet of thegaming device. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a centraldisplay device 16 which displays a primary game. This display device mayalso display any secondary game associated with the primary game as wellas information relating to the primary or secondary game. Thealternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central displaydevice 16 and an upper display device 18. The upper display device maydisplay the primary game, any suitable secondary game associated withthe primary game and/or information relating to the primary or secondarygame. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in one embodiment, gaming deviceincludes a credit display 20 which displays a player's current number ofcredits, cash, account balance or the equivalent. In one embodiment,gaming device includes a bet display 22 which displays a player's amountwagered.

The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, atelevision display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) adisplay based on light emitting diodes (LED) or any other suitableelectronic device or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as describedin more detail below, the display device includes a touch-screen with anassociated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of anysuitable configuration, such as a square, rectangle, elongatedrectangle.

The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display atleast one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images,symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition ofthe movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual or video reels andwheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images of people, characters,places, things and laces of cards, tournament advertisements and thelike.

In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayedon or of the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, thedisplay device may include any electromechanical device, such as one ormore mechanical objects, such as one or more rotatable wheels, reels ordice, configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality ofgame or other suitable images, symbols or indicia.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the gaming device includesat least one payment acceptor 24 in communication with the processor. Asseen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the payment acceptor may include a coin slot 26and a payment, note or bill acceptor 28, where the player inserts money,coins or tokens. The player can place coins in the coin slot or papermoney, ticket or voucher into the payment, note or bill acceptor. Inother embodiments, devices such as readers or validators for creditcards, debit cards or credit slips could be used for accepting payment.In one embodiment, a player may insert an identification card into acard reader of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the identificationcard is a smart card having a programmed microchip or a magnetic stripcoded with a player's identification, credit totals and other relevantinformation. In one embodiment, money may be transferred to a gamingdevice through electronic funds transfer. When a player funds the gamingdevice, the processor determines the amount of funds entered and thecorresponding amount is shown on the credit or other suitable display asdescribed above.

As seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A, in one embodiment the gaming deviceincludes at least one and preferably a plurality of input devices 30 incommunication with the processor. The input devices can include anysuitable device which enables the player to produce an input signalwhich is read by the processor. In one embodiment, after appropriatefunding of the gaming device, the input device is a game activationdevice, such as a pull arm 32 or a play button 34 which is used by theplayer to start any primary game or sequence of events in the gamingdevice. The play button can be any suitable play activator such as a betone button, a max bet button or a repeat the bet button. In oneembodiment, upon appropriate funding, the gaming device begins the gameplay automatically. In another embodiment, upon the player engaging oneof the play buttons, the gaming device automatically activates gameplay.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, one input device is abet one button 36. The player places a bet by pushing the bet onebutton. The player can increase the bet by one credit each time theplayer pushes the bet one button. When the player pushes the bet onebutton, the number of credits shown in the credit display preferablydecreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the bet displaypreferably increases by one. In another embodiment, one input device isa bet max button (not shown) which enables the player to bet the maximumwager permitted for a game of the gaming device.

In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 38. The playermay push the cash out button and cash out to receive a cash payment orother suitable form of payment corresponding to the number of remainingcredits. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the playerreceives the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray 40. In oneembodiment, when the player cashes out, the player may receive otherpayout mechanisms such as tickets or credit slips redeemable by acashier or funding to the player's electronically recordableidentification card.

In one embodiment, as mentioned above and seen in FIG. 2A, one inputdevice is a touch-screen 42 coupled with a touch-screen controller 44,or some other touch-sensitive display overlay to allow for playerinteraction with the images on the display. The touch-screen and thetouch-screen controller are connected to a video controller 46. A playercan make decisions and input signals into the gaming device by touchingtouch-screen at the appropriate places.

The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication portsfor enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals,such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays,an SCSI port or a key pad.

In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2A, the gaming device includes asound generating device controlled by one or more sounds cards 48 whichfunction in conjunction with the processor. In one embodiment, the soundgenerating device includes at least one and preferably a plurality ofspeakers 50 or other sound generating hardware and/or software forgenerating sounds, such as playing music for the primary and/orsecondary game or for other modes of the gaming device, such as anattract mode. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides dynamicsounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed on one ormore of the display devices to provide an audio-visual representation orto otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players tothe gaming device. During idle periods, the gaming device may display asequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages to attract potentialplayers to the gaming device. The videos may also be customized for orto provide any appropriate information.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a player or othersensor, such as a camera in communication with the processor (andpossibly controlled by the processor) that is selectively positioned toacquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device and/or thesurrounding area of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the camera maybe configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video)images and may be configured to acquire the images in either an analog,digital or other suitable format. The display devices may be configuredto display the image acquired by the camera as well as display thevisible manifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picturefashion. For example, the camera may acquire an image of the player andthat image can be incorporated into the primary and/or secondary game asa game image, symbol or indicia.

Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering primary or basegame. The gaming machine or device of the present invention may includesome or all of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices.The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel-type game, cardgame, number game or other game of chance susceptible to representationin an electronic or electromechanical form which produces a randomoutcome based on probability data upon activation from a wager. That is,different primary wagering games, such as video poker games, videoblackjack games, video Keno, video bingo or any other suitable primaryor base game may be implemented into the present invention.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 13, a base or primarygame may be a slot game with one or more paylines 52. The paylines maybe horizontal, vertical, circular, diagonal, angled or any combinationthereof. In this embodiment, the gaming device displays at least one andpreferably a plurality of reels 54, such as three to five reels 54 ineither electromechanical form with mechanical rotating reels or videoform with simulated reels and movement thereof. In one embodiment, anelectromechanical slot machine includes a plurality of adjacent,rotatable wheels which may be combined and operably coupled with anelectronic display of any suitable type. In another embodiment, if thereels 54 are in video form, the plurality of simulated video reels 54are displayed on one or more of the display devices as described above.Each reel 54 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts,fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferablycorrespond to a theme associated with the gaming device. In thisembodiment, the gaming device awards prizes when the reels of theprimary game stop spinning if specified types and/or configurations ofindicia or symbols occur on an active pay line or otherwise occur in awinning pattern.

In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a poker game whereinthe gaming device enables the player to play a conventional game ofvideo poker and initially deals five cards all face up from a virtualdeck of fifty-two card deck. Cards may be dealt as in a traditional gameof cards or in the case of the gaming device, may also include that thecards are randomly selected from a predetermined number of cards. If theplayer wishes to draw, the player selects the cards to hold via one ormore input device, such as pressing related hold buttons or via thetouch screen. The player then presses the deal button and the unwantedor discarded cards are removed from the display and replacement cardsare dealt from the remaining cards in the deck. This results in a finalfive-card hand. The final five-card hand is compared to a payout tablewhich utilizes conventional poker hand rankings to determine the winninghands. The player is provided with an award based on a winning hand andthe credits the player wagered.

in another embodiment, the base or primary game may be a multi-handversion of video poker. In this embodiment, the player is dealt at leasttwo hands of cards. In one such embodiment, the cards are the samecards. In one embodiment each hand of cards is associated with its owndeck of cards. The player chooses the cards to hold in a primary hand.The held cards in the primary hand are also held in the other hands ofcards. The remaining non-held cards are removed from each hand displayedand for each hand replacement cards are randomly dealt into that hand.Since the replacement cards are randomly dealt independently for eachhand, the replacement cards for each hand will usually be different. Thepoker hand rankings are then determined hand by hand and awards areprovided to the player.

In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a keno game wherein thegaming device displays a plurality of selectable indicia or numbers onat least one of the display devices. In this embodiment, the playerselects at least one and preferable a plurality of the selectableindicia or numbers via an input device or via the touch screen. Thegaming device then displays a series of drawn numbers to determine anamount of matches, if any, between the player's selected numbers and thegaming device's drawn numbers. The player is provided an award based onthe amount of matches, if any, based on the amount of determinedmatches.

In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits in a base or primarygame, the gaming device may also give players the opportunity to wincredits in a bonus or secondary game or bonus or secondary round. Thebonus or secondary game enables the player to obtain a prize or payoutin addition to the prize or payout, if any, obtained from the base orprimary game. In general, a bonus or secondary game produces asignificantly higher level of player excitement than the base or primarygame because it provides a greater expectation of winning than the baseor primary game and is accompanied with more attractive or unusualfeatures than the base or primary game.

In one embodiment, the bonus or secondary game may be any type ofsuitable game, either similar to or completely different from the baseor primary game. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a programwhich will automatically begin a bonus round when the player hasachieved a triggering event or qualifying condition in the base orprimary game. In one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifyingcondition may be a selected outcome in the primary game or a particulararrangement of one or more indicia on a display device in the primarygame, such as the number seven appearing on three adjacent reels along apayline in the primary slot game embodiment seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Inanother embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may beby exceeding a certain amount of game play (number of games, number ofcredits, amount of time), reaching a specified number of points earnedduring game play or as a random award.

In one embodiment, once a player has qualified for a bonus game, theplayer may subsequently enhance his/her bonus game participation throughcontinued play on the base or primary game. Thus, for each bonusqualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that the player obtains, agiven number of bonus game wagering points or credits may be accumulatedin a “bonus meter” programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits orentries toward eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence ofmultiple such bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result inan arithmetic or geometric increase in the number of bonus wageringcredits awarded. In one embodiment, extra bonus wagering credits may beredeemed during the bonus game to extend play of the bonus game.

In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy in for a bonus game needbe employed. That is, a player may not purchase an entry into a bonusgame; he must win or earn entry through play of the primary game and,thus, play of the primary game is encouraged. In another embodiment,qualification of the bonus or secondary game could be accomplishedthrough a simple “buy in” by the player if, for example, the player hasbeen unsuccessful at qualifying through other specified activities.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, one or more of the gamingdevices 10 of the present invention may be connected to each otherthrough a data network or a remote communication link 58 with some orall of the functions of each gaming device provided at a centrallocation such as a central server or central controller 56. Morespecifically, the processor of each gaming device may be designed tofacilitate transmission of signals between the individual gaming deviceand the central server or controller.

In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determinedby a central server or controller and provided to the player at thegaming device of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of aplurality of such gaming devices are in communication with the centralserver or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at one of thegaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates a game outcomerequest to the central server or controller.

In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the gameoutcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primarygame based on probability data. In another embodiment, the centralserver or controller randomly generates a game outcome for the secondarygame based on probability data. In another embodiment, the centralserver or controller randomly generates a game outcome for both theprimary game and the secondary game based on probability data. In thisembodiment, the central server or controller is capable of storing andutilizing program code or other data similar to the processor and memorydevice of the gaming device.

In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller maintainsone or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes.In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the gameoutcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcomefrom a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controllerflags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome isflagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set orpool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server uponanother wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary gameoutcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes,or a series of game outcomes such a free games.

The central server or controller communicates the generated or selectedgame outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming device receivesthe generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome tothe player. In an alternative embodiment, how the generated or selectedgame outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as areel symbol combination of a slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in acard game, is also determined by the central server or controller andcommunicated to the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayedto the player. Central production or control can assist a gamingestablishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records,controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic orother errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility and the like.

In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices of the presentinvention are in communication with a central server or controller formonitoring purposes only. That is, each individual gaming devicerandomly generates the game outcomes to be provided to the player andthe central server or controller monitors the activities and eventsoccurring on the plurality of gaming devices. In one embodiment, thegaming network includes a real-time or on-line accounting and gaminginformation system operably coupled to the central server or controller.The accounting and gaming information system of this embodiment includesa player database for storing player profiles, a player tracking modulefor tracking players and a credit system for providing automated casinotransactions.

A plurality of the gaming devices of the present invention are capableof being connected together through a data network. In one embodiment,the data network is a local area network (LAN), in which one or more ofthe gaming devices are substantially proximate to each other and anon-site central server or controller as in, for example, a gamingestablishment or a portion of a gaming establishment. In anotherembodiment, the data network is a wide area network (WAN) in which oneor more of the gaming devices are in communication with at least oneoff-site central server or controller. In this embodiment, the pluralityof gaming devices may be located in a different part of the gamingestablishment or within a different gaming establishment than theoff-site central server or controller. Thus, the WAN may include anoff-site central server or controller and an off-site gaming devicelocated within gaming establishments in the same geographic area, suchas a city or state. The WAN gaming system of the present invention maybe substantially identical to the LAN gaming system described above,although the number of gaming devices in each system may vary relativeto each other.

In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or intranet. Inthis embodiment, the operation of the gaming device can be viewed at thegaming device with at least one internet browser. In this embodiment,operation of the gaming device and accumulation of credits may beaccomplished with only a connection to the central server or controller(the internet/intranet server) through a conventional phone or otherdata transmission line, digital signal line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxialcable, fiber optic cable, or other suitable connection. In thisembodiment, players may access an Internet game page from any locationwhere an internet connection and computer, or other internet facilitatorare available. The expansion in the number of computers and number andspeed of internet connections in recent years increases opportunitiesfor players to play from an ever-increasing number of remote sites. Itshould be appreciated that enhanced bandwidth of digital wirelesscommunications may render such technology suitable for some or allcommunications according to the present invention, particularly if suchcommunications are encrypted. Higher data transmission speeds may beuseful for enhancing the sophistication and response of the display andinteraction with the player.

In another embodiment, a plurality of gaming devices at one or moregaming sites may be networked to a central server in a progressiveconfiguration, as known in the art, wherein a portion of each wager toinitiate a base or primary game may be allocated to bonus or secondaryevent awards. In one embodiment, a host site computer is coupled to aplurality of the central servers at a variety of mutually remote gamingsites for providing a multi-site linked progressive automated gamingsystem. In one embodiment, a host site computer may serve gaming devicesdistributed throughout a number of properties at different geographicallocations including, for example, different locations within a city ordifferent cities within a state.

In one embodiment, the host site computer is maintained for the overalloperation and control of the system. In this embodiment, a host sitecomputer oversees the entire progressive gaming system and is the masterfor computing all progressive jackpots. All participating gaming sitesreport to, and receive information from, the host site computer. Eachcentral server computer is responsible for all data communicationbetween the gaming device hardware and software and the host sitecomputer.

Replicator Symbol

The present invention is directed to a gaming device having a gameincluding a plurality of reels, wherein the reels include one or moresplit symbols or replicator symbols that display at least two identicalsymbols at a single symbol position on the reels. The replicator symbolsincrease the likelihood that a winning combination of symbols occurs onthe reels. Therefore, a player's excitement and enjoyment of the gameincreases because the player believes that they have a betteropportunity to obtain a winning symbol combination and thereby an awardin the game.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, one embodiment of the present invention isillustrated where one of the display devices 30 or 32 displays aplurality of reels such as reels 54 a, 54 b, 54 c, 54 d and 54 e. Eachof the reels 54 includes at least one and preferably a plurality ofsymbol positions. The symbol positions are the positions or areas on thereels where symbols are located and displayed to a player. For example,symbol position (3/2) refers to the third reel (i.e., reel 54 c) and thesecond position or area on that reel (i.e., the position including the Asymbol). In this embodiment, the reels 54 include a plurality of symbols100 which are the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I. It should beappreciated that the reels may include any suitable symbols, charactersor images as desired by the game implementer. In one embodiment, each ofthe symbol positions on the reels includes a predetermined or designatedsymbol from the plurality of symbols. In another embodiment, each of thesymbol positions on the reels includes a randomly determined symbol fromthe plurality of symbols. It should be appreciated that any of thesymbols may be in any of the symbol positions on the reels.

In one embodiment, the symbols 100 include at least one split symbol orreplicator symbol 102 or 104. Each replicator symbol includes at leasttwo symbols from the plurality of symbols at a single symbol position onthe reels. For example, replicator symbol 102 includes two “C” symbolsin one symbol position (4/3) on reel 54 d. Similarly, replicator symbol104 includes three “F” symbols at a single symbol position (2/3) on reel54 b. In this embodiment, each replicator symbol includes at least twoof the same symbols or identical symbols at a single symbol position. Inanother embodiment, the replicator symbols include at least two symbolsfrom the plurality of symbols where at least one of the symbolsassociated with the replicator symbol is different. The replicatorsymbols provide additional symbols on the reels and therefore enhancethe probability that a winning symbol combination or combinations willoccur on the reels. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides anoutcome such as one or more awards, prizes, credits, free spins, freegames, game elements or any other suitable award to a player when adesignated symbol combination including at least two of the symbols isindicated in at least one of the symbol positions on the reels 54.

In one embodiment a plurality of paylines such as paylines 52 a, 52 band 52 c are associated with the reels 54. In one embodiment, the gamingdevice provides an outcome to the player when a designated combinationof symbols such as a winning combination of symbols is indicated in atleast one symbol position on one of the paylines 52 a, 52 b or 52 c. Inanother embodiment, the gaming device provides the outcome to the playerwhen the winning symbol combination is indicated in at least one symbolposition on a plurality of the paylines. In a further embodiment, thegaming device provides the outcome to the player when a winning symbolcombination is indicated in at least one symbol position on any of thepaylines associated with the reels. It should be appreciated that adesignated combination of symbols or a winning symbol combination may bea line pay, a line scatter pay, a reel scatter pay or any suitablewinning combination of the symbols.

In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a set of meters ordisplays used to display the salient information for the game, includingthe number of credits, number of pay lines, amount bet per line, totalbet, and the amount paid to the player in a spin of the reels. Ifnecessary, any number of meters may be added to further facilitatecontrol of the games.

In one embodiment, the number of credits in the credit pool is displayedby a credit meter or credit display 114. The pool of credits increasesand decreases according to the player's wins or losses in a game and maybe supplemented, if necessary, by the player when the player depositsadditional coins, tokens or paper currency into the gaming device.

In one embodiment, the number of pay lines upon which the player wageredin a game is displayed on a Number of Pay Lines meter or display 106.The pay lines are activated in a predetermined order, as follows: thefirst wager is applied to pay line 52 a; the second wager is applied topay line 52 b; and the third wager is applied to pay line 52 c. However,the games may have fewer or greater than three pay lines and activatethe paylines in any suitable order.

In one embodiment, the number of credits wagered on each pay line isdisplayed on a Bet Per Line display. In this embodiment, the same amountis wagered on each of the pay lines. Alternatively, In anotherembodiment the player could wager different amounts on each pay line ina game.

In one embodiment, the total number of credits bet on all of the paylines is displayed by a Total Bet display 110. The total bet iscalculated by multiplying the number of pay lines by the bet per line.In addition, the number of credits awarded for any winning symbolcombinations is displayed by a Paid display 112.

In one embodiment, all winning combinations are defined by pay tables oraward summary tables associated with a game. The pay tables define thewinning symbol combinations for a game such as a winning symbolcombination including three or more of the same symbols on a pay line.Each symbol in a symbol position counts towards the total number ofsymbols on a pay line. In addition, a pay table may also define scatterawards for winning symbol combinations including symbols scatteredanywhere on the reels. Alternatively, any pre-determined or designatedarrangement of symbols may be defined as a winning symbol combination ina game and any suitable number of awards or credits may be provided to aplayer for the winning symbol combinations.

Example

Referring now to FIGS. 3A to 3E, an example of the one embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated where the gaming device includes a gamehaving a plurality of reels such as reels 54 a, 54 b, 54 c, 54 d and 54e. Each reel 54 includes a plurality of symbol positions which are thepositions on the reels where symbols are located and displayed to aplayer. Additionally, the reels include a plurality of symbols such asletters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I. It should be appreciated that thesymbols may be any suitable symbols or images. The gaming device alsoincludes a plurality of paylines 52 a, 52 b and 52 c associated with thereels. In this example, there are three horizontal paylines associatedwith the reels. It should be appreciated that that any suitable numberof paylines may be associated with the reels. It should be appreciatedthat the paylines may be horizontal, vertical or any suitableconfiguration on the reels.

In this embodiment, the player must obtain a designated combination ofthe symbols 100 on at least one of the paylines 52 a, 52 b or 52 c.Furthermore, in this example, the winning symbol combinations must forma line pay or a combination of at least three of the same symbolsindicated in an least one of the symbol positions on reel 54 a. Forexample, if one of the symbol positions on reel 54 a includes areplicator symbol 102 or 104 and one of the symbol positions on reel 54b, on the same payline as the replicator symbol, includes the samesymbol as the symbols of the replicator symbol, the player obtains awinning symbol combination including three of the same symbols on thatpayline. However, if the three identical or matching symbols areindicated in adjacent symbol positions on payline 52 a associated withreels 54 b and 54 c but not reel 54 a, the player does not obtain awinning symbol combination. Additionally in this example, the gamingdevice displays several different meters or displays as described above.

Referring to FIG. 3B, a payout table or award summary table 200indicates the winning symbol combinations 202 and the awards or creditsassociated with each of those winning symbol combinations. The awardsummary table 200 shows the winning symbol combinations for one of thesymbols, the letter A, and the awards associated with that symbol. Inthis example, all of the symbols on the reels include the same winningsymbol combinations and the same awards associated with those winningsymbol combinations. For example, a winning symbol combination includingthe letter C provides the same award as a winning symbol combinationincluding the letter A when the winning symbol combination is indicatedin at least one of the symbol positions on a payline associated with thereels. It should be appreciated that the designated symbol combinationsor winning symbol combinations in the game may include any suitablecombination of the same symbols or different symbols in the game. Inaddition, it should be appreciated that the winning symbol combinationsmay provide any suitable awards, prizes, free games, free spins, gameelements or any other suitable award, awards or outcomes in the game.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the player initially inserts currency into thegame and obtains four hundred credits as indicated by the credit display114. The player in now ready to being playing the game.

Referring to FIGS. 3C to 3E, the player begins playing the game bydepressing the select paylines button two times to increase the numberof paylines wagered in the game from one to three as indicated by thenumber of paylines display 106. In this example, there are threepaylines 52 a, 52 b and 52 c associated with the reels 54. Therefore,the player has wagered on the maximum number of paylines in the game.The player then presses the bet per payline button to increase their betor wager on each payline from one to three credits as indicated by thebet per payline display 108. Therefore, the player is wagering threecredits on each of the paylines 52 a, 52 b and 52 c. Based on the wagermade by the player in this spin or activation of the reels in the game,the player has wagered a total bet or wager of nine as indicated by thetotal bet display 110. The total bet equals the number of paylineswagered on by the player of three multiplied by the amount bet perpayline by the player, which is also three. Because the game has notstarted yet the pay display indicates a zero or that the player has notreceived any awards or credits in the game. The total bet of nine madeby the player in this activation or spin of the reels is subtracted fromthe player's total credits in the game of four hundred which results inthe new total number of credits being three hundred ninety-one asindicated by the credit display 114.

Referring now to FIG. 3D, the gaming device or player presses oractivates a play button 34 or pull arm 32 (shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) toactivate or spin the reels for the first time in the game. The reelsstop and display a plurality of symbols in the symbol positions on thereels 54. Specifically, the reels or symbol matrix on the reels includesa winning symbol combination at the symbol positions on payline 52 aassociated with reels 54 a, 54 b, 54 c, 54 d and 54 e. The winningsymbol combination includes nine B symbols. The winning combinationincluding the nine B symbols is formed by a replicator symbol includingtwo B symbols at symbol position 1/1, a single B symbol at symbolposition 2/1, another single B symbol at symbol position 3/1, replicatorsymbol including three B symbols at symbol position 4/1 and a replicatorsymbol including two B symbols at symbol position 5/1. According to thepay table or award summary table 200 in FIG. 3B, a winning symbolcombination including nine B symbols pays four hundred credits for eachcredit wagered upon payline 52 a. Therefore, the spin award or award forthis spin is an award of one thousand two hundred credits (i.e., fourhundred credits times three credits wagered on payline 52 a). The awardof one thousand two hundred credits is added to the player's totalcredits and gives the player a new total number of credits of onethousand five hundred ninety-one as indicated by the credit display 114.

Referring now to FIG. 3E, the gaming device or player activates or spinsthe reels for a second time in the game. Again, the player wagers on themaximum number of paylines, three, as indicated by the number ofpaylines display 106. The player also wagered or bet three credits oneach of the paylines as indicated by the bet per payline display 108.Therefore, the player's total bet is nine as indicated by the total betdisplay 110. The total bet of nine is subtracted from the credit displayshown in FIG. 3D to give the player a total number of credits beforetheir second spin of one thousand five hundred eighty-two. The gamingdevice or player activates or spins the reels and when the reels stop, aplurality of symbols are indicated in the symbol positions on the reels.Specifically, a winning symbol combination including three B symbols isindicated at symbol position 1/2 on the reels. In fact, the winningsymbol combination including three B symbols includes a singlereplicator symbol which includes three B symbols at a single symbolposition (1/2) on reel 54 a. Therefore, the replicator symbol enablesthe player to obtain a winning symbol combination at a single symbolposition on the reels where none of the other symbol positions on thereels combined to form a winning combination of symbols in that spin. Asshown in FIG. 3B, a winning symbol combination including three B symbolsprovides a payout or award of twenty-five credits. Thus, the gamingdevice awards seventy-five credits to the player (i.e., twenty-fivecredits times three credits wagered on payline 54 b). The credit meter114 counts up from one thousand five hundred eighty-two to one thousandsix hundred fifty-seven to reflect the award obtained by the player inthat spin.

Referring to FIG. 3F, the player decides to spin the reels for a thirdtime in the game. The player selects a maximum number of paylines,three, for the spin as indicated by the number of paylines display 106.The player also bets three credits for each of the paylines that theyselected as indicated by the bet per payline display 108. Thus, thetotal bet made by the player for this spin is nine as indicated by thetotal bet display 110. The total bet of nine is subtracted from theplayer's total credits. The player's new total number of credits priorto this spin becomes one thousand six hundred forty-eight. The gamingdevice or player spins the reels for the third time in the game. Thereels stops spinning and indicate a plurality of symbols at the symbolpositions on the reels. Specifically, a winning symbol combinationincluding three E symbols is indicated on payline 54 a and a winningsymbol combination including six D symbols is indicated on payline 54 b.In this example, the gaming device provides awards for each winningsymbol combination indicated on the reels. In another embodiment, thegaming device only provides the largest award associated with any of thewinning symbol combinations indicated on the reels. It should beappreciated that the gaming device may provide one, a plurality or allof the awards associated with winning symbol combinations indicated onthe reels.

In the example, the winning symbol combination including the three Esymbols indicated on payline 54 b is formed by a single E symbol atsymbol position 1/1, a single E symbol at symbol position 2/1 and asingle E symbol at symbol position 3/1. The winning symbol combinationincluding six D symbols is formed by a replicator symbol including two Dsymbols at symbol position 1/2, a replicator symbol including two Dsymbols at symbol position 2/2 and a replicator symbol including two 0symbols at symbol position 3/2. Therefore, the two different winningsymbol combinations show how the replicator symbols may provide morewinning symbol combinations and thereby more awards in a game and alsohow these replicator symbols may provide larger awards in the game.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the award or payout associated with three E symbolsis twenty-five and the award associated with six D symbols is onehundred. Therefore, the total award or payout for this spin is threehundred severity-five (i.e., twenty-five credits multiplied by threecredits wagered on payline 54 a plus 100 credits multiplied by 3 creditswagered on payline 54 b). The total award of three hundred seventy-fiveis added to player's total credits in the game to give the player a newtotal number of credits of two thousand twenty-three as indicated by thecredits displayed 114. The player decides not to continue playing thegame and therefore presses the cash out button to receive the totalnumber of credits of two thousand twenty-three as indicated by thecredit display 114.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated where the symbols include at least one bonus symbol. In oneembodiment, the gaming device provides a bonus outcome such as a bonusaward to the player when at least two of the bonus symbols are indicatedin at least one symbol position on a payline associated with the reels.In another embodiment, the gaming device provides the bonus outcome tothe player when at least two of the bonus symbols are indicated in atleast one symbol position on any of the paylines or in a scatterposition associated with the reels. The bonus symbol provides the playerwith an additional outcome or outcomes in a game such as an additionalaward or awards, which increases the player's excitement and enjoymentof the game. It should be appreciated that the bonus symbol may be anysuitable symbol, character or image desired by the game implementer. Itshould also be appreciated that the bonus outcome may include awards,prizes, credits, free spins, free games, game elements or any othersuitable outcome.

As shown in FIG. 4, three bonus symbols 300 a, 300 b and 300 c areindicated at three different symbol positions on the reels 54.Specifically, bonus symbol 300 a is indicated at symbol position 2/2,bonus symbol 300 b is indicated at symbol position 3/3 and bonus symbol300 c is indicated at symbol position 5/3. In this example, three bonussymbols indicated in at least one symbol position on any of the paylinesassociated with the reels provides a bonus outcome including amultiplier of 3×. Therefore, any outcomes obtained by the player aremodified by the multiplier associated with the winning bonus symbolscombination. In this example, the reels indicate a winning symbolcombination including four A symbols on payline 54 a. This winningsymbol combination is formed by a single A symbol at symbol position1/1, a replicator symbol including two A symbols at symbol position 2/1and a single A symbol indicated at symbol position 3/1. As illustratedabove, the replicator symbol increases the number of symbols in thewinning symbol combination and therefore provides the player with alarger award. The winning symbol combination including four A symbolsprovides an award of fifty as indicated by the award table 200 in FIG.3B. Therefore, the award of fifty is multiplied by the bet per paylineof three as indicated in the bet per payline display 108 to provide theplayer with an award associated with this spin of one hundred fifty. Thespin award of one hundred fifty is multiplied by the bonus outcome ormultiplier 3× to provide a total award for this spin of four hundredfifty as indicated in the paid display 112. Because the player did notobtain any awards previously in the game, the player's total number ofcredits or total award is four hundred fifty as indicated by the creditdisplay 114.

It should be appreciated that the present invention may be employed in aprimary game, a secondary or bonus game, or any other suitable type ofgame.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example process or method 500 foroperating a gaming device of the present disclosure. In this example,for a play of a game having a plurality of symbols, the symbolsincluding a designated symbol, the gaming device activates a pluralityof symbol generators to display a plurality of the symbols at aplurality of symbol positions, as indicated by block 502. The symbolpositions include a designated symbol position having a plurality of thedesignated symbol displayed at that designated symbol position. Thegaming device determines whether a first winning symbol combination isdisplayed by the symbol generators, as indicated by block 504. The firstwinning symbol combination is associated with a first award and includesa first predetermined number of the designated symbol displayed at afirst predetermined number of at least two symbol positions. The gamingdevice determines whether a second winning symbol combination isdisplayed by the symbol generators, as indicated by block 506. Thesecond winning symbol combination includes the first predeterminednumber of the designated symbol displayed at a second predeterminednumber of symbol positions. The second predetermined number of symbolpositions includes the designated symbol position. The firstpredetermined number of symbol positions is greater than the secondpredetermined number of symbol positions, the second predeterminednumber of symbol positions is at least one, and the second winningsymbol combination is also associated with the first award. The gamingdevice displays the first award if at least one of the first winningsymbol combination and the second winning symbol combination isdisplayed by the symbol generators, as indicated by block 508.

While the present invention is described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to thedisclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modificationsand equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of theclaims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may bemade without departing from the novel aspects of the invention asdefined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scopeof the claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A gaming system comprising: atleast one display device; at least one input device; at least oneprocessor; and at least one memory device storing a plurality ofinstructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causethe at least one processor to operate with the at least one input deviceand the at least one display device to: (a) provide a game associatedwith: (i) a plurality of symbol generators configured to display aplurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol positions, wherein foreach of at least one of the symbol positions, said symbol position isconfigured to display one of the symbols at a first point in time andtwo or more of the symbols at a second point in time; and (ii) aplurality of winning symbol combinations including: (a) a first winningsymbol combination including a first predetermined quantity of thesymbols displayed at a first predetermined quantity of at least two ofthe symbol positions, wherein the first winning symbol combination isassociated with a first award; and (b) a second winning symbolcombination including the first predetermined quantity of the symbolsdisplayed at a second predetermined quantity of at least one of thesymbol positions, wherein the second winning symbol combination isassociated with the first award and the first predetermined quantity ofthe symbol positions is greater than the second predetermined quantityof the symbol positions; and (b) for a play of the game: (i) generateand display a plurality of the symbols at the symbol positions; (ii) ifthe first winning symbol combination is displayed by the symbolgenerators, display the first award; and (iii) if the second winningsymbol combination is displayed by the symbol generators, display thefirst award.
 2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the symbolgenerators are reels.
 3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the firstpredetermined quantify of the symbol positions is at least three.
 4. Thegaming system of claim 3, wherein the second predetermined quantity ofthe symbol positions is at least two.
 5. The gaming system of claim 1,wherein for each of the symbol positions, said symbol position isconfigured to display one of the symbols at the first point in time andtwo or more of the symbols at the second point in time.
 6. A gamingsystem comprising: at least one display device; at least one inputdevice; at least one processor; and at least one memory device storing aplurality of instructions which, when executed by the at east oneprocessor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at leastone input device and the at least one display device to: for a play of agame associated with a plurality of symbols: (a) activate a plurality ofsymbol generators to display a plurality of the symbols at a pluralityof symbol positions, each of at least one of the symbol positions beingconfigured to display one of the symbols at a first point in time andtwo or more of the symbols at a second point in time; (b) determine if afirst winning symbol combination is displayed, wherein the first winningsymbol combination includes a first predetermined quantity of thesymbols displayed at a first predetermined quantity of at least two ofthe symbol positions and is associated with a first award; (c) determineif a second winning symbol combination is displayed, the second winningsymbol combination including the first predetermined quantity of thesymbols displayed at a second predetermined quantity of at least one ofthe symbol positions, wherein the first predetermined quantity of thesymbol positions is greater than the second predetermined quantity ofthe symbol positions and the second winning symbol combination isassociated with the first award; and (d) display the first award if atleast one of the first winning symbol combination and the second winningsymbol combination is displayed by the symbol generators.
 7. The gamingsystem of claim 6, wherein the symbol generators are reels.
 8. Thegaming system of claim 6, wherein the first predetermined quantity ofthe symbol positions is at least three.
 9. The gaming system of claim 8,wherein the second predetermined quantity of the symbol positions is atleast two.
 10. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein for each of thesymbol positions, said symbol position is configured to display one ofthe symbols at the first point in time and two or more of the symbols atthe second point in time.
 11. A gaming system comprising: at least onedisplay device; at least one input device; at least one processor; andat least one memory device storing a plurality of instructions which,when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least oneprocessor to operate with the at least one input device and the at leastone display device to: for a play of a game associated with a pluralityof symbols: (a) activate a plurality of symbol generators to display aplurality of the symbols at a plurality of symbol positions; (b)determine if a first winning symbol combination is displayed, whereinthe first winning symbol combination includes a first predeterminedquantity of the symbols displayed at a first predetermined quantity ofat least two of the symbol positions and is associated with a firstaward; (c) determine if a second winning symbol combination isdisplayed, the second winning symbol combination including the firstpredetermined quantity of the symbols displayed at a secondpredetermined quantity of at least one of the symbol positions, whereinthe first predetermined quantity of the symbol positions is greater thanthe second predetermined quantity of the symbol positions and the secondwinning symbol combination is associated with the first award; and (d)display the first award if at least one of the first winning symbolcombination and the second winning symbol combination is displayed bythe symbol generators.
 12. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein atleast one of the symbol positions is configured to display a pluralityof the symbols.
 13. The gaming system of claim 12, wherein for each ofthe at least one of the symbol positions, said symbol position isconfigured to display one of the symbols at the first point in time andtwo or more of the symbols at the second point in time.
 14. A method ofoperating a gaming system, said method comprising: (a) providing a gameassociated with: (i) a plurality of symbol generators configured todisplay a plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol positions,wherein for each of at least one of the symbol positions, said symbolposition is configured to display one of the symbols at a first point intime and two or more of the symbols at a second point in time; and (ii)a plurality of winning symbol combinations including: (a) a firstwinning symbol combination including a first predetermined quantity ofthe symbols displayed at a first predetermined quantity of at least twoof the symbol positions, wherein the first winning symbol combination isassociated with a first award; and (b) a second winning symbolcombination including the first predetermined quantity of the symbolsdisplayed at a second predetermined quantity of at least one of thesymbol positions, wherein the second winning symbol combination isassociated with the first award and the first predetermined quantity ofthe symbol positions is greater than the second predetermined quantityof the symbol positions; and (b) for a play of the game, causing atleast one processor to execute a plurality of instructions stored in atleast one memory device to operate with at least one display device to:(i) generate and display a plurality of the symbols at the symbolpositions; (ii) if the first winning symbol combination is displayed bythe symbol generators, display the first award; and (iii) if the secondwinning symbol combination is displayed by the symbol generators,display the first award.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the symbolgenerators are reels.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the firstpredetermined quantity of the symbol positions is at least three. 17.The method of claim 16, wherein the second predetermined quantity of thesymbol positions is at least two.
 18. The method of claim 14, whereinfor each of the symbol positions, said symbol position is configured todisplay one of the symbols at the first point in time and two or more ofthe symbols at the second point in time.
 19. The method of claim 14,which is provided through a data network.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the data network is an internet.
 21. A method of operating agaming system, said method comprising: for a play of a game associatedwith a plurality of symbols: (a) causing at least one processor toexecute a plurality of instructions stored in at least one memory deviceto operate with at least one display device to activate a plurality ofsymbol generators to display a plurality of the symbols at a pluralityof symbol positions, each of at least one of the symbol positions beingconfigured to display one of the symbols at a first point in time andtwo or more of the symbols at a second point in time; (b) causing the atleast one processor to execute the plurality of instructions todetermine if a first winning symbol combination is displayed, whereinthe first winning symbol combination includes a first predeterminedquantity of the symbols displayed at a first predetermined quantity ofat least two of the symbol positions and is associated with a firstaward; (c) causing the at least one processor to execute the pluralityof instructions to determine if a second winning symbol combination isdisplayed, the second winning symbol combination including the firstpredetermined quantity of the symbols displayed at a secondpredetermined quantity of at least one of the symbol positions, whereinthe first predetermined quantity of the symbol positions is greater thanthe second predetermined quantity of the symbol positions and the secondwinning symbol combination is associated with the first award; and (d)causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality ofinstructions to operate with the at least one display device to displaythe first award if at least one of the first winning symbol combinationand the second winning symbol combination is displayed by the symbolgenerators.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the symbol generatorsare reels.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the first predeterminedquantity of the symbol positions is at least three.
 24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the second predetermined quantity of the symbolpositions is at least two.
 25. The method of claim 21, wherein for eachof the symbol positions, said symbol position is configured to displayone of the symbols at the first point in time and two or more of thesymbols at the second point in time.
 26. The method of claim 21, whichis provided through a data network.
 27. The method of claim 26, whereinthe data network is an internet.
 28. A method of operating a gamingsystem, said method comprising: for a play of a game associated with aplurality of symbols: (a) causing at least one processor to execute aplurality of instructions stored in at least one memory device tooperate with at least one display device to activate a plurality ofsymbol generators to display a plurality of the symbols at a pluralityof symbol positions; (b) causing the at least one processor to executethe plurality of instructions to determine if a first winning symbolcombination is displayed, wherein the first winning symbol combinationincludes a first predetermined quantity of the symbols displayed at afirst predetermined quantity of at least two of the symbol positions andis associated with a first award; (c) causing the at least one processorto execute the plurality of instructions to determine if a secondwinning symbol combination is displayed, the second winning symbolcombination including the first predetermined quantity of the symbolsdisplayed at a second predetermined quantity of at least one of thesymbol positions, wherein the first predetermined quantity of the symbolpositions is greater than the second predetermined quantity of thesymbol positions and the second winning symbol combination is associatedwith the first award; and (d) causing the at least one processor toexecute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least onedisplay device to display the first award if at least one of the firstwinning symbol combination and the second winning symbol combination isdisplayed by the symbol generators.
 29. The method of claim 28, whereinat least one of the symbol positions is configured to display aplurality of the symbols.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein for eachof the at least one of the symbol positions, said symbol position isconfigured to display one of the symbols at the first point in time andtwo or more of the symbols at the second point in time.
 31. The methodof claim 28, which is provided through a data network.
 32. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the data network is an internet.